University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS. 


THOUGHTS    OF 


IDLE  HOURS 


BY 

MYRA  VIOLA   WILDS 

BLIND    VERSE   WRITER 


ILLUSTRATIONS    BY 

LORENZO    HARRIS,  Artist 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 


NASHVILLE,    TENN.: 

NATIONAL  BAPTIST  PU  BLISHING  BO  ARD. 
1915 


"COPYRIGHT" 

BY    MYRA   VIOLA   WILDS 

1915 


DEDICATION. 

To  him  of  all  on  earth,  most  faithful, 
"My    Husband,"    I   affectionately   dedicate*     this     little 
volume. 


PREFACE. 


Total  Blind  and  Limited  Education. 

I  send  out  my  first  litle  book,  "Thoughts  of  Idle  Hours," 
trusting  it  may  find  kind,  considerate  friends.  Should  I 
live  to  finish  the  second  Cmito,  I  hope  it  will  be  a 
great  improvement  over  this  my  first.  I  was  born  at 
Mount  Ollie,  Ky.,  a  little  country  place.  I  lost  my  eye 
sight  from  overwork  and  eye  strain  at  my  occupation, 
dressmaking,  in  the  year  1911.  For  three  years  afterwards, 
I  went  through  a  very  severe  illness.  On  March  10th, 
1914,  at  3  a.  m.  I  awoke  out  of  a  sound  sleep  and  wrote 
my  first  poem,  "Sunshine."  In  eleven  months  and  seven 
teen  days  afterwards,  I  had  written  the  contents  of  this 
book.  The  question  has  often  been  asked,  who  writes 
your  thoughts  for  you,  since  you  are  blind  ?  I  will  an 
swer  here.  Every  line  and  verse  in  this  little  volume  has 
been  composed  and  written  with  my  own  hand  notwith 
standing  the  loss  of  my  eyesight. 

A  copy  of  each  verse  I  retain  in  my  own  handwriting, 
after  this,  they  are  copied  in  a  book  by  my  husband.  I 
beg  your  kind  consideration  of  the  plain,  simple  verses 
herein: 

I  do  not  seek  Wealth,  Fame  or  Place, 
Among  the  great  ones  of  my  race, 
But,  I  would  pen  in  letters  bold! 
Some  thoughts!    perhaps  to  cheer  the  soul. 


CONTENTS. 


Title    3 

Dedication    . 5 

Preface    6 

POEMS. 

Sunshine 9 

A  Thanksgiving  Prayer    .  - 10 

The    Early    Morning 11 

Dewdrops 12 

My    Thoughts     13 

To    Hon.    Edward    James    Cattell    14 

Little  Yellow  Baby 15 

A   Sonnet    18 

A  Lullaby    - 19 

Elsie -.    20 

The  Little  German  Band   2i 

The   Best   Family 22 

The    Babe   That's    Dark   as    Night    23 

Nature 24 

Superstitious   Sam   on   the  War    25 

The   Hoop    Skirt 26 

A   Racoon    Chase    29 

Basket   Meeting   Day 30 

The   Organ   Master    37 

Bessie 39 

A  Yoke  of  Oppression   40 

Jack    and    I    - 41 

The   Ladies'    Sewing   B'ee 4£ 


Thoughts 44 

When   You   Feel   a   Little   Blue 45 

The    Chorus    • 46 

Ezikiel's    First    Degree '. 48 

He  Didn't   Stop   to   Think    50 

The  Girl  Who  Does  Not  Care 51 

Our    Exposition 52 

The    Old-time   Religion    • . . , . . 54 

Deacon    Jones    .... •  55 

A  Foolish  .'Man    - 57 

Spring   58 

Looking    Back     - 59 

Down  in  the  Country 60 

The    Wandering    Sheep    -  • 61 

A  Man  of  the  Heart    '.'. . . G2 

As  You   Go   From   Home   Today    • 63 

He    Is    Risen 64 

To    J.    J.    Pearce    - 65 

New   Style   Tunes    „ ... -66 

Uncle    Joshua's    Birthday    Dinner    67 

Pity    . . . . . .    . .    ... . . . . . 72 

As    I    Pass    by   the   Way  ,..-.... 73 

Toiling'  '.'.    ...... 74 

War  in  Europe 75 

O!    Mighty   Sea    . .    ........... .V. .  '.'.„  ................    76 

-Thoughts   of   Man    .', ••,-,••  -77 

The    Beautiful    World    .......     .._......... .. ... .....78 

Climbing  Up    ., ....  ^ . .  v.  .r. ...    79 

Stop  "and   Think    ...    . .  .'•".' .80 

Waiting 'iri 'the   Shadow  '.'.'  '.'.'.'.  .^ .,  v^J-v-  -  •  .;•  •••  •«'? ,;;  -  •  t-^1 

t8 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS- 


"SUNSHINE." 

To  C.  Garfield  Fox,  of  "The  Philadelphia  Record.' 

Like  the   sunshine,   in  the  morning, 

As    it    falls    upon    the   field, 
Let  our  hearts  be  bright  and  happy, 

And   to   sorrow   never   yield. 

Let    all    sadness    turn    to    gladness, 

And  our  path  will  brighter  be; 
He  who  loves  us  is  above  us, 

And  our   way  can  plainly   see. 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"A  THANKSGIVING  PRAYER." 

Our  land  has  been  fruitful, 

Thou  hath  given  us  food, 
Clothing  and  shelter, 

And   blessed   us   with   good. 

/e  have^sownT  and  gathered Y] 
The   ripe   golden    grain; 
Thou  hath  sent  us  the  sunshine, 
The  clouds  and  the  rain. 

We've  gathered  in  store 

The    gifts    from    Thy    hand; 
There  is  peace  and  plenty. 

Throughout    our    broad    land. 

From   the   homes   of   the   brave. 

In  the  land1  of  the  free, 
We   bow,    Blessed    Father, 

In  Thanksgiving  to  Thee. 

For    mercy,    O    Lord, 

We   humbly   beseech   Thee; 
For  the  nations  at  war, 

In  the  lands  across  the  sea. 

Restore  to  us,  Father, 

Thy   love,    and   thy   peace, 
Oh    Thou,    King   of   all    kings! 

Cause  this   cruel   war   to   cease. 

10 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"THE  EARLY  MORNING." 

In  the  early  mist  of  morning, 
As  the  day  is  slowly  dawning, 
Hear    the   rustling   of   the   leaves 
In   the   gentle   summer   breeze. 

See  the  flowers  lift  their  heads, 
From   their   peaceful    little   beds, 
Smiling   sweetly,    bright   and   gay, 
Cheering  thousands   by  their   stay. 

See    the    pansy's    big    bright    eyes, 
Peep   at  you  in   sweet  surprise; 
And  the  violet  dipped  in  dew, 
Says   she  has   a   kiss   for  you. 

The  pink   rose   turned  a  crimson   red, 
At  the  words  the  violet  said; 
The    lily    stood    so    pure    and    white, 
Blushing   sweet,   then   took   her   flight. 

All    day    long    the    gentle    breeze, 
Scampered  with  the  flowers  and  trees, 
Till   the   sun   which   shown   so   bright, 
Left  for  home  and  said  good  night. 


11 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS- 


"DEWDROPS." 

To  I.  Underbill. 

Watch  the  dewdrops  In  the  morning, 
Shake  their  little  diamond  heads, 

Sparkling,   flashing,   ever  moving, 
From  their  silent  little  beds. 

See  the  grass!   Each  blade  is  brightened, 
Roots  are  strengthened  by  their  stay; 

Like   the   dewdrops,    let    us    scatter 
Gems  of  love  along  the  way. 


12 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 
MY  THOUGHTS. 

Many   thoughts   had   I! 
And    away   they   would   fly, 
From  the  east  to  the  west, 
S  ^eking  sonw*  place  to  rest. 

Through    the    woodland    and    trees, 
*n    the    soft   summer   breeze, 
By  the  silvery  stream, 
^or   awhile  they   would  dream. 

Like  a  flash  of  the  eye, 
Off    again   they    would    fly; 
As  a  bird  seeks  a  nest, 
For  its  young  ones  to  rest. 

In    a    garden    they    flew, 
Where   the   sweet   violets    grew, 
And   Bought   for   a   kiss, 

her   lips   sweet  with   dew. 


Then  onward  they  went, 
With  love  in  the  heart, 
^nd  stopped  for  a  rest, 
In  the  galleries  of  art. 

The  artist  could  see, 
Love  had  set  them  at  rest; 
And  he  painted   for  me 
The    one   I   loved   best. 

13 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

M,ay  my  thoughts  never  roam, 
Prom  the  place  where  I  met 
The  dearest  of  all, 
One    sweet    violet. 


To  Hon.   Edward  James   Cattell,    Statistician   of  the   City 
of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

A   master   mind   was   his, 

In  the  art  of   calculation; 
So    swift,    his   thoughts   were   wont   to    fly 

Throughout    the   whole    creation. 

The  city  had  appointed  him 

To  note  her  great  progression; 
And   keep   a   tab   on   everything 

She    had   in    her   possession. 

He  could  tell  about  the  city, 

From   the  .first  day  of  its   birth; 
Her   many   parks   and   buildings, 

And  every  cent  she's  worth. 

His    friends   would   gladly   gather   'round, 

To   hear   his   late   review, 
About  the  city  and  its  needs, 

And   what   they   hoped   to   do. 

Beloved   by  all  the   friends   he  knew, 

And  to  his  duty  stood  quite  true; 
On   him   the   city   could  rely 

To   raise   her   standard   bright   and   high. 

14 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"LITTLE  YELLOW  BABY." 

(This  poem  was  composed  and  written  June  8,  1914,. 
and  made  ii:s  first  appearance  in  the  Philadelphia  Record,. 
July  13th,  1914.  Since  then  a  new  verse  has  been  added 
and  the  top  line  changed.) 

Little  yellow  baby, 

With   dimpled   hands    and    face, 
Where'd  you  get  that   dirt  from? 

You're  surely  a  disgrace. 
Look    at    those    sticky    fingers 

My    suger    bowl,    I    know, 
Old  Shivery   Slinkum 

Will    catch    you    sure- 

Don't   grab  me   by  the   apron; 

I   saw   him   peeping  then. 
And   when   the   door   is   open, 

He's  going  to   walk  right   in. 
Don't   let    old    "Slinkum"    get   you. 

Well    then    you    best   be   good, 
Or   else   I'll    let   him   take   you 

And   chop   you   up   for   wood. 

Dinah,    bring    the    basin; 

Wash   his  face  and   hands. 
Don't   you   dare   to   whimper,; 

Sit   up!    Goodness  lands! 

15 


:: iii^^ 


Dinah,   bring  the  basin; 
Wash  his  face  and  hands. 
Hush!     don't    dare    to    whimper, 
Sit    up!    Goodness    lands! 

16 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 

Eyes   a  little  drowsy — 

Looking  kind  o'  weak; 
Little  yellow  baby, 

I'll  rock  you  off  to  sleep. 

Whimpering  little   baby, 

Hush!    Now   do   not   weep! 
Tender    eyes    shall    guard   thee, 

While  you  are  asleep. 

Pleasant  dreams  attend  thee! 

Angels  near  thee  keep, 
Little  yellow  baby, 

Sleep!    Sleep!    Sleep! 


17 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"A  SONNET." 

I've  tried  in  vain  to  write  a  sonnet, 

My  mind  was  on  a  brand  new  bonnet; 

I  could  not  write  a  line. 

Thoughts  would  come  and  then  they'd  go, 

I  found  the  task  no  better  so, 

I    stopped    it    for    a   time. 

At  last  I  took  my  pen  again, 

And   tried   to   make   that   sonnet   plain, 

And  off  my  thoughts   went  flying; 

My   mind    you    see   was    all    upset, 

About    that   pretty    bonnet. 

My  thoughts  would  fly,  no  use  to  try, 

I    could    not    write    a    sonnet. 


18 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

A  LULLABY— "LITTLE  CURLY 
HEAD." 

Come,    little    curly   .head, 
Bright    eye'd   baby   boy; 

Mammy's   gwine  to   rock   you   to   sleep. 
Close    dem    eyes    now, 
Mammy's   little   love   and  joy, 

Hush,  now!   Go  to  sleep. 

Mammy's    gwine    to    buy    you 
A   brand   new   rocking   horse, 

And  a  pretty  kite  and  string, 
A  little  jumping  jack, 
And  a  pretty   pussy  cat. 

And   a  mocking  bird  that   sings. 

Mammy   don't   care 
If  your  little   face   is  black; 
It's  just  the  sweetest  face  I  know. 
Dem   pearly   teeth   so   white, 
And   sparkling  eyes   so   bright 
They    follow   wherever   I   go. 

Off    to    sleeps^    land! 

Is  Mammy's  little  man,  j 

Dreaming  of  his  games  and  toys. 
The  pretty  kite  and  string, 
And   other   little   things, 

And  the  many  fights  he'll  have  among  the  boys. 

19 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 


"ELSIE" 

She  was  fair, 

With   golden   brown   hair, 

As  the  autumn  leaves, 

In   an   October   breeze, 

From  a  child  of  three, 

She  was  happy  and  free, 

As  a  lark  on  the  wing, 

In  the  young  budding  spring, 

As    the    years    rolled    by, 

On  her  I'd  rely. 

But    alas!    one   day, 

Carl  took  her   away, 

To  be  at  his  side, 

His  wife  and  his  bride; 

He  a  youth  of  good  taste, 

With  manner   and  grace  of  a  prince; 

He  was  grand, 

Just  the  right  sort  of  man, 

For  Elsie,  my  friend, 

I   trust  to  the  end. 


20 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 


THE  LITTLE  GERMAN  BAND. 

I  had  stopped  down  at  the  corner 
To  hear  the  little  German  band, 

Playing  "Away  Down   South  in  Dixie" 
And  "A  March  Through  Georgia  Land." 

When  I  spied  my  mother  coming, 
With  a  broad  strap  in  her  hand, 

O!  I  never  stopped  to  look  back 
At  that  little  German  band. 

Home  I  went  a-running, 

Just  as  fast  as  I  could  go: 
In  a  closet  hid  myself, 

My  heart  was   full  of  woe. 

When  mother   found  me,  there   at  last, 

There  was  no  use  to  cry; 
I   climbed   up   to   the  transom   door, 

And  tried  my  best  to  fly. 

She  hauled  me  down,  with  might  and  main, 

And  then   I  tried   to  run; 
I'll  never  watch  a  German  band, 

For  strapping  ain't  no  fun. 


21 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"THE  BEST  FAMILY.' 

The    best    family    I    knew, 
Now    honest    and    true, 
Was  a  family  of  ten, 
Both  women  and  men. 

It's   seldom    you    pick 
A  family  who  stick 
So  closely  together, 
As   the   family   of   Kix. 

The   father  and  mother, 
Were   faithful   and   true; 
And  their   children   were   reared 
With  the  rod  that  was  due. 

An  honor  were  they, 
Each    boy    and   girl; 
And    the    kindest   of    friends, 
That   I   had   in    the   world. 


22 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

"THE  BABE  THAT'S  DARK  AS 
NIGHT." 

They've   sung   about   the   yellow   babe, 
The  brown  one  and  the  white, 
But  the  little  babe  I  love  the  best 
Is   the   one   that's   dark   as   night. 

You  see  he  has  such  sparkling  eyes, 
Bright   as  they  can  be; 
He   looks   so   cute  and  cunning-like, 
When'er  he  smiles  at  me. 

He's  just  the   funniest  little  scamp 
You'd  .find   for   miles    around; 
I  love  to  jump  him  on  my  knee, 
And  trot  him   off  to   town. 

"Dot   Tanny   now?"   he  said   to   me, 
His  little  heart  was  full  of  glee; 
When  from  my  pocket  wide  and  deep, 
I  pulled  him  out  a  candy  sheep. 

'Twas  fun  to  see  his  big  bright  eyes, 
Beam  out  with  joy  and  glad  surprise, 
He  laughed  and  jumped  and  ran  and  peeped, 
Until    he    almost    fell    asleep. 

It  filled  my  heart  with  great  delight, 
T0  see  that  babe  as  dark  as  night, 
A-sleeping    sweet    in    slumber    deep, 
Still  holding  tight  his  candy  sheep. 

23 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS- 


"NATURE." 

Nature  in  the  earth  has  slumbered, 
Through   the   chilly   winter's   blasts; 

Beasts  have  sought  their  caves  for  shelter, 
Till  the  ice  and   snow  have  past. 

Birds  have  sought  a  land  of  sunshine, 
Through   the   southern   fields   they   roam; 

Making   merry    with    their    singing, 
Winter   o'er,  they   come  back  home. 

Spring  is  near,  the  streams  are  swelling, 

Nature,    too,    is    on    her    way; 
Birds   and   beasts   are   fast   returning, 

All   the   world   seems   bright   and   gay. 


24 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 
'SUPERSTITIOUS  SAM  ON  THE  WAR." 

Things  are  getting  mighty  tangled, 

In   de   world   des   latter   days; 
And  dey   sends   your   thoughts   a-flying, 
In  a  thousand  different  ways. 

Well,    de   world   is   just   as   bright, 

As  it's   always  been  to  me; 
But   dar's    something   wrong,    my   brud'r, 

Just   as   wrong   as   wrong   can   be. 

Dan's   de    nations    of    de    earth, 

Dey   ain't   satisfied   to    stay; 
In  de  worl'  so  full  and  fruitful, 

Where  dey  haves  it  all  de'r  way. 

Now,   dah   ain't  no   use   in   talkin', 

Somp'em    will    hap'en    shoe's   you   born; 

If   de   folks    don't   stop    dare   fighting, 
Gable  shore  will  blow  de  horn. 

Den    dar'l    be    no    use    in    stop'in', 

Fur  dey  won't  have  time  to  pray; 
Fur  when  Gable  blows  that  mighty  horn, 

Dar'l   be   de   judgment   day. 


25 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"THE  HOOP  SKIRT." 

You  can  talk  about  the  new  style  gowns, 
And  high-heeled  boots  they  wear, 

The  puffs  and  curls  and  other  things, 
That  fashion  now  call  hair. 

But   you   ought   to    seen   my   mother, 
In   her    hoop   skirts,    bless   her    soul; 

With  her  waterfall  of  cotton, 
Dyed  black  as  furnace  coal. 

I    remember   standing   by   her, 

In  those   good   old-fashioned   days; 

While  her  hoop   skirt  bobbed  and  noddled, 
In  a  dozen   different  wajs. 

Thinking  how  she'd  ever  stop  them, 
When  s"\ie  sat  her  down  to  spin, 

While  a-standing  there  a-thinking, 
Deacon  Jones  come  walking  in. 

Good   morning,    Sister    Mandy! 

Said  the  deacon  with  a  bow; 
Js  John  at  home?  I  come  to  see 

If  he'll  go   and   help   me  plow. 


26 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

I  am  sorry,  said  my  mother, 
John  has  gone  in  town  today, 

With  some  chickens,  eggs  and  butter, 
And  a  load  of  new  mown  hay. 

Have   a   chair,   my    mother    offered; 

Now  when  John  comes  back  from  town 
I'll  remember  'bout  the  plowing, 

And  will   sure  to   send  him   round. 

Thank   you,   said   the   deacon, 
Well,   I   guess  I'll   have  to  go; 

Mother's  hoop  skirt  bobbed  and  noddled, 
As   she   stood   there   in   the   door. 

Give    my   love    to    Sister    Sally, 
Mother   called   out   with   a   smile; 

Tell  her  Sunday  is  baptizing, 
Up   the  road  here  'bout  a   mile. 

Brother  Jasper  will  preach  the  sermon. 
In  the  morning,  and  aJ  night 

We    will    have    another    brother 
Ely  the  name  of  Isaiah  White. 

Then   she   sat   down   to   her   spinning, 

In  her   usual  pleasant  way, 
Singing   sweetly,    "Roll    on,    Jordan, 

Till    that   bright   and    happy    day." 

27 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 

After   all   I  think  that   fashion, 
With    its   funny   styles    and   ways, 

Will    welcome    back    the    hoop    skirt, 
Of  those   good  old-fashioned   days. 


28 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS- 
"A  RACOON  CHASE." 

Ike   and   me,   just  him   and  me, 
Went  on  a  racoon  chase. 
Over   hill   and  dale  we   found  the  trail, 
But  lost  it  in  our  haste. 

Said  Ike  to  me,  that  coon  you  see, 

I  think  went  up  that  'simmon  tree; 

Said  I  to  Ike,  well,  I'll  be  bound, 

I'll   climb  that  tree  and  fetch  him  down. 

Oh,  no!    said  Ike,  just  let  him  be, 
That   coon   is   wise   as   you   and   me ; 
We   saw   his   shadow   on   the   ground, 
That    scamp    was    slowly    sneaking    down. 

I   called  to   Ike   to   bring  the  dogs, 
I'd  chase  that  coon  behind  some  logs; 
He  called  old  Roscow,  Nero,  too. 
That  coon  got  out  and  fairly  flew. 

As    far    as    me    and    Ike    could    see, 

That   scamp   ran   up   another   tree; 

The  dogs,   they  ran   and   jumped  and   bound, 

And  tried  their  best  to  bring  him  down. 

I   looked    at   Ike, 

Ike  said  to  me, 

That   coon   can   have  that   'simmon   tree. 

29 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"BASKET  MEETING  DAY." 

(This  scene  was  taken  from  a  little  place  in  the  hills 
of  Kentucky  called  Mount  Ollie,  not  far  from  my  birth 
place.  ) 

Time    was    drawing   mighty   near, 

To   basket   meeting   day, 
Down    at    Mt.    Ollie    where    they    say 

The  yearly  spread  is  laid. 

Every  buggy  in  the  town, 

Wagon,    cart    and    dray, 
Had  been  engaged  for  weeks   ahead 

For  basket  meeting  day. 

Sis   Hannah   Brown,   who    always   led 

In    everything    that's    great, 
Sent  word  to  all   her  friends  arc  and, 

To  start  in  and  not  wait. 

There's   cakes   to   bake   and   pies  to   make, 

Peach  preserves  and  jam, 
Biscuits   brown   and   hoe   cakes   too, 

Perhaps    a    dozen    hams. 

The  chickens,  when  it  comes  to  them, 

They   took   the   cue   and  flew; 
For   miles  around  no   fowl   was   found, 

What   would   the  preacher  do? 

30 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


The   chickens    when    It   came   to    them, 

They  took  the  cue  and  flew; 
For   miles   around,   no    fowl   was    found, 

What  would  the  preacher   do? 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 

The    great    eventful    day   arrived, 
They  came  from  miles  around, 

From  Johnson's  place  and  Thompson's  place, 
And  lots  of  folks  from  town. 

The   day   had   started   bright   and   fair, 

As   anyone    could   wish; 
The   deacons    they    were    on   the   grounds, 

To  help  on  with  the  rush. 

By  twelve  o'clock   the   yard   was   full, 

No  room  for  man  or  beast; 
The   church   was   full   and  wagons   full, 

Where  would  they  spread  the  feast? 

The  meeting  house  was  quite  too  small, 

To   hold  the  surging  crowd; 
And  Parson   Sparks  had   had  his  pulpit 

Moved  out  in  the  yard. 

He  mounted  high  and  took  his  stand, 

And    then    began    to    speak; 
My  text  said  he  shall  be  this  day 

"The  shepherd   and   the   sheep." 

I   have  prepared   on   my  right   hand, 

A  pasture   for   the  sheep, 
And  on  my  left  a  stopping  place, 

Where   sinners   come   to   weep. 

32 


He  mounted  high  and  took  his  stand, 

And  then  began  to  speak; 
"My  text,"   said  he,   "shall   he   this  day, 
'The    Shepherd    and    the    sheep.' " 

33 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


Come   right   on   up   and   take   your  place, 

The   parson   gave   command; 
And  all  at  once  the   surging   crowd 

Had  marched  on  his  right  hand. 

"Praise   the  Lamb!"   a   brother   cried; 

And   then   the   shouting   started; 
High   in   the   air   flew   hats   and   hair, 

For    heads    and   hair    had    parted. 

They  shouted  in  and  shouted  out, 

Till  almost  time  for  dinner; 
The  parson  cried,  "Now  friends,  sit  down," 

I   cannot   find   a   sinner." 

Take  your  seats,"  he  said  again; 

And   with   his   hand   he   waved. 
"I  find  no  goats  are  here  today, 

There   is   nothing  but   the   saved. 

"Brother    Pierce,    please   come    up    front, 
And   take    the    day's    collection; 

Now,  friends,  each  one  must  do  his  best, 
That    it    may    bear    inspection. 

"Deacon   Dodd,   please   start   a   hymn, 
With    p^nty    money    in    it; 


34 


Praise  the  Lamo!    a  brother   cried; 

And  then  the  shouting  started. 
High   in  the  air  flew  hats  and  hair, 

For  heads  and  hair  had  parted. 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 


(Hymn.) 

I  been  listening  all  night  long, 
I  been  listening  all  day; 

I  been  listening  all  night  long, 
To  hear  some  sinner  pray. 

"Come  right   on   up,   don't   sit   and   wait, 

It's  almost  time  for  eating; 
At  any  rate   it's   growing  late." 

Thus   ends   our    basket   meeting. 


36 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS- 
"THE  ORGAN  MASTER." 

(To  Mr.  John  A.  Lively,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  February 
9th,  1915.) 

We've  got  a  great  big  organ 
At  the   church  down  where  I  go; 

And  you  ought  to  hear  the  music, 
Playing  softly,  sweet  and  low. 

They've   as   fine   an    organ   master 

As  is  found  in  any  town; 
When  he  starts  that  organ   singing, 

You   got  to  lay   your   burden  dcwn. 

I   have   often    sat   and   listened, 

As  he  played  along  the  keys, 
At  the  music   softly  sighing, 

Like    a    gentle    summer    breeze. 

Made   you   think   about   the    angels, 
With  their   golden  harps  and   wings; 

And  the  mighty  songs  of  Zion, 
That  the   Christian   people   sing. 

There   is   music   in   that   organ! 

When    Brother    Lively   plays 
He  sends  the  keys  a-running 

In  a  dozen  different  ways. 

37 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

Then   he'd   strike   the   chords   so   gently, 

In  a  kind  o'   solemn  way; 
And    play    the    sweetest    music, 

As  the  people  bowed  to  pray. 


8H 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS 


BESSIE. 

Gentle  in  nature,  modest  and  shy, 

With  a  sparkle  of  hope  in  her  pretty  bright  eyes. 

Hope  was  the  anchor  she  carried  each  day, 

With  courage  and  vigor  she  made  her  own  way. 

Her   duties   were   many,   to   all   she  was  true, 

A  dear,  loving  mother,  with  bright  daughters  two. 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS- 


"A  YOKE  OF  OPPRESSION." 

We  have  been  free,  yes,  fifty  years! 

From  shackles  and  chains, 

But  not  from  tears, 

The  bloodhound  has  gone  from  the  cabin  door, 

The   slave  master   haunts   our   steps   no   more; 

But   a   yoke   of   oppression   we   sometimes    feel, 

A  yoke  that  oppresses  our  common  weal. 

We've  obeyed  our  rulers, 

We've   fought   for   our   land; 

We've   planted    the    vineyards, 

We've  gone  at  command. 

But   a   yoke   of   oppression   we   yet   still   feel, 

A  yoke  that  oppresses  our  common  weal. 

E'e   not   discouraged,    go    on   to   the   end; 

Be  brave  men  of  valor,  be  women  and  men, 

And  the  yoke  of  oppression  that  is  weighing  us  down, 

Some  day,  like  a  boomerang, 

May    turn    and   rebound. 


40 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


JACK  AND  I. 

Jack  and  I  went  out  for  a  walk, 
Along  the  seashore  for  a  pleasant  talk, 
As    we    sat    on    the    sand, 
By    the    sad,    sad    sea, 
There  Jack  gave  his  heart 
And    his   love    all   to    me. 

Said  he,  "Mary,  I  love  you, 

I   give   you  my  all;" 

Said   I,   "Jack,   don't  be   foolish, 

Love  rises  and  falls. 

"Like  the  waves  of  the  sea, 

They   are  never   at   rest; 

It  is   hard   for   you,   Jack, 

To   tell  who  you  love  best." 

"Now,   Mary,"   said  Jack, 
"If   you   don't   believe   me, 
I'll  throw  myself  out 
In   the   wild  raging  sea." 

"Oh!    Jack,"    said    I, 
"Don't  do  that  for  me, 
For   how  on  earth 
Could  I   live   in   the   sea?" 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
THE  LADIES'  SEWING  BEE. 

An  invitation   come   for  me 

To  join  the  ladies'  sewing  bee, 

Which  meets  at  Kitty  Paxtons, 

On   Thursday   next,    the   message    said, 

And   Sally    Simpson   there    will    read 

A  paper  on  relaxtion. 

That  sewing  bee  may  be  all  right 

But   it   requires   the   best   of   sight 

To  make  such  little  stitches; 

The    only    ones    that    I    could    make 

Would  be  perhaps  a  patch  to  take 

And  sew  on  Dollies  breeches. 

But  then  you  know  I  had  to  go 

No   way  to   get  around   it, 

When   I   got  there,   well   I'll   declare 

I'll  tell  you  how  I  found  it. 

The   room   was   filled  with   tables  small, 

And  chairs  pushed  back  clear  to  the  wall, 

And   ladies   sitting   'round   it. 

This  sewing  bee,  well  now  you  see, 

Was   quite   a   brand   new    thing   to    me; 

WTien  I  went  in  a  lady  said, 

"Have  you  your  thimble,  needle  and  thread  >' 

Not  yet,  said  I,  I  come  you  see 

To  join  the  ladies   sewing  bee. 

Your   name,    please.      "Sue    T.    Homer." 

Well  now,  please  take  that  seat  in  the  corner. 

Well,  the  way  those  ladies  looked  at  me 

42 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

I  was  sorry  I  joined  that  sewing  bee. 

At  last  I  was  given  an  apron  to  make 

While  the  ladies  were  discussing  the  way  to  make  cake; 

I  tried  my  best  and  could  not  sew, 

And  had  fully  made  up  my  mind  to  go 

When  Kitty  Paxton  rose  and  said, 

Now,   ladies,   we'll   have  the  paper   read. 

Well,    Sally    Simpson   looked    too    sweet, 

Gowned  in  white  from  head  to  feet; 

As  she  arose  she  looked  at  me, 

'Twas  then  a  quarter  after  three. 

Now,   ladies,    she   said,   before   I    start 

I  hope  no  one  here  will  have  to  depart. 

My  paper  today  is  on  relaxtion, 

Which  requires  much  thought  and  action. 

Now  relaxtion  is  this,  don't  go  to  pieces, 

If  Dinnah  falls  down  and  breaks  all  the  dishes; 

Don't  wind  yourself  up  to  the  highest  pitch 

Throw  Dinnah  and  the  dishes  all  down  in  the  ditch, 

Then  sit  back  and  laugh  in  serene  relaxtion. 

Don't  give  a  thought  to  the  scene  or  the  action. 

The  ladies   all  voted   the   paper   was   good, 

And  said  they  would  try  to   obey  if  they  could. 

"Ladies,"    said    Kitty,    "we've    been    greatly    honored, 

We'll  have  a  paper  next  week  by  Miss  Sue  T.  Homer." 

Speaking  of  me  "who  sat  in  the  corner." 

The  work  was  all  finished  Kitty  gave  them  to  make 

Then  the  ladies  sat  down  to  their  tea  and  cake; 

It  is  nice  to  go  to  a  sewing  bee, 

But  I  doubt  again  if  they  ever  see  me. 

43 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


THOUGHTS. 

What  kind  of  thoughts  now,  do  you  carry 

In  your  travels   day  by  day 
Are  they  bright  and  lofty  visions, 

Or    neglected,    gone    astray? 

Matters   not   how   great   in    fancy, 

Or  what  deeds  of  skill  you've  wrought; 

Man,   though   high   may   be   his   station, 
Is  no  better  than  his  thoughts. 

Catch    your    thoughts    and    hold    them    tightly, 

Let   each   one   an   honor   be; 
purge   them,    scdurge   them,    burnish   brightly,) 

Then  in  love  set  each  one  free. 


44 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"WHEN  YOU  FEEL  A  LITTLE  BLUE.' 

When   you   feel   a   little   blue, 

Kinder   good   for   nothing,   too, 

And  you  try  your  best  to  rouse  yourself  and  can't, 

Think   about   the   busy   bee, 

As  he  fliesi  from  tree  to  tree, 

Then  stop  and  take  a  lesson  from  the  ant. 

At  the   very  peep   of  day, 

They   are    up   and   on    their    way, 

Toiling  on  until  the  setting  of  the  sun. 

When  the  harvest  days  are  o'er, 

And  they've  gathered  in  their  store, 

They  can  rest  because  their  work  has  been  well  done. 


45 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"THE  CHORUS." 

TO   ARTHUR    E.    BIRCHETT. 

He  had  gathered  in  the  singers — 
From  the  East  and  from  the  West, 

The  very  best  of  singers, 
Wlho   could  stand,   the   hardest  test. 

The  Leader,  skilled  in  music, 
Was  a  man,  who  knew  a  tune, 

From  the  plain  old  fashioned  Jew  harp, 
To  the  humming  bird,  in  June. 

He'd  got  them,  all  together, 

'And  started  them  to  train 
Bass,  alto  and  soprano; 

Then,   the  high-toned   tenors   came. 

"Everybody"  joined   the   chorus 

When  Director  Birehett  led; 
Why,  the  folks  just  kept  on  singing — 

Till  they  nearly  lost  their  head, 

Some  of  them,  had  long  been  singing, 
'Fore  the  Leader  here  was  born, 

Some  I  guess,  will  keep  on  singing — 
Until  Gabriel  blows  the  horn. 

The  Leader,  mounted  high  the  stand, 
And  calmly  stood  and  looked; 

Order!   said  he;   the  chorus  now 
Please  take  your  singing  books! 

46 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

And  turn  to  No.  Thirty  Three! 

The  "Singers  keep  their  eyes  on  me. 
The  bass,  will  start,  right  over  here; 

Now!   Sing  your  words,  with  ease,  and  clear 

The  Lead  Bass,  he  had  lost  his  place 

W&s  singing  way  behind, 
Alto   and   Tenor,    stopped   at   once — 

Sopranos  kept  on  trying. 

The  Leader,    beat  and  banged!    his  stick, 

Sopranos,  now  were  flying! 
The  Lead  Bass  could  not  find  his  place, 

There  was  no  use  in  trying, 

At  last  the  Leader  got  their  ear 

Their  hearts  were  trembling  now,  with  fear, 
He  looked  them  squarely  in  the  face, 

Said  he:   Such  stuff  is  'er  real  disgrace. 

Then,  all  at  once,  that  mighty  chorus! 

Sang  out,  as  if  the  Heavenly  Host" 
Had  struck  their  harps'  of  gold, 

The  music!   Oh!   'twas  sweet  to  hear, 
It    seemed    to    bring    Salvation"    near 

As  on  and  on,  it  rolled! 

The  Leader  stood  with  smiling  face; 

Pleased  it  seemed,   was  plain, 
For  weeks  and  months,  he'd  labored  hard, 

His  work  was  not  in  vain. 

47 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"EZIKEL'S  FIRST  DEGREE" 

Bzikel  Jones  was  on  the  list, 

To  take  the  first  degree, 
On  Friday  next  the  message  ran, 

A  quarter  after  three. 

Poor  Ziek  he  could  not  sleep  that  night, 

No!    not  to   save  his   soul, 
He  dreamed  he   saw  a  billy  goat — 

And   climbed   a  greasy  pole. 

The  appointed  day  Ziek  got  there  late, 

A  quarter  after  four, 
He  heard  the  balls  arolling  loud, 

Upon  the  second  floor. 

Ezikel  Jones!   was  called  out  loud, 

He  answered,  "Here  am  I," 
Please   come  up  front  the  master  said, 

Poor  Ziek!    made  no  reply. 

You  see  this  pole?  Now  Brother  Jones, 

It's  mighty  hard  to  climb, 
Take  off  your  coat  and  necktie  too, 

Now   start,   but  take   your  time. 

There  is  twelve  degrees,  the  master  said, 

You'll  find  them  on  the  pole, 
Many  a  man  has  gone  up  there, 

And  never  had  a  fall. 

48 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE 


Ziek  looked  right  shy, 

And  all  at  once,  he  heard  a  brother  call, 
The  goat  is  there,  Now!    Brother  Jones, 

To  catch  you  if  you  fall. 

The  goat  eyed  Ziek  and  Ziek  the  goat, 

'And  then  he  eyed  the  pole, 
How  could  he  climb  a  greasy  pole, 

And   never   have   a   fall. 

He  started  up,  his  foot  slipped  back, 

The   goat  was   drawing  near, 
To  turn  back  now  would  never  do, 

His   heart  was   full   of  fear. 

He  took  one   step   and  slipped  back  two, 

Poor  Ziek  was  almost   crying, 
He  could  not  climb  that  greasy  pole, 

There   was   no   use   in   trying. 

So  down!,  he  come  right  on  the  goat, 
They  round  the  room  went  flying, 

They  caught  the  goat  and  found  poor  Ziek, 
They  really  thought  him  dying. 

When  Ziek  revived  more  dead  than  live, 

He  was  a  sight  to  see, 
He'd  lost  his  coat  and  necktie  too, 

But  had  the  first  degree. 


49 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
HE  DIDN'T  STOP  TO  THINK. 

Ike  Johnson  loved  a  fair  young  girl, 

Her  name  was  Lucy  Prim, 
He  thought  the  whole  wide  world  of  her, 

And  she  the  same  of  him. 


He  took  Bill  Jones  to  call  one  day, 

Which  always  breaks  the  link, 
He  left  them  there  to  chat  awhile, 

But  he  didn't  stop  to  think. 

Mister  Jones  he  liked  the  girl, 

And  there  he  told  her  so, 
Just  twenty   seconds   by  the   watch, 

Before  he  had  to  go. 

He  asked  that  he  might  call  again, 

Miss  Lucy  looked  at  him, 
She  told  him  yes  and  gave  a   smile, 

Then  Ike  come  walking  in. 

Jones  thanked  her  and  he  took  his  hat, 

And  then  he  went  away, 
From  that  time   on  no   thought  had  Jones, 

But  of  his  wedding  day. 

Poor  Ike  his  days  were  numbered, 

Jones    did   not   care   a   wink, 
The  trouble  about  the  whole  thing  was, 

Ike  didn't  stop  to  think. 

50 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS 

"THE  GIRL  WHO  DOES  NOT 
CARE." 

The  girl  who  says  she  does  not  care  a  snap  about  a  man, 

Will  do  her  level  best  you  know, 
To  catch  one  if  she  can. 

Of  course  she  has  no  time  to  waste, 
On  Harry,  Tom  or  Ned, 

Their  words  were  vain, 
She  had  no  ear  for  anything  they  said. 

/ 
Such  fun  you  know  to  come  and  go, 

And  do  just  as  you  please, 
No  one  to  boss  or  make  you  cross, 

One  lives  in  greatest  ease. 

How  years  rolled  by,  she  knew  not  why, 

Her  life  was  sad  and  lone, 
Her  friends  were  few  and  those  untrue, 

She  longed  to  have  a  home. 

Very  late  in  life  she  became  the  wife, 

Of  a  man  who  lived  on  a  farm, 
She  had  the  garden  to  hoe,  and  no  place  to  go, 

But  to  gather  the  eggs  from  the  barn. 

/ 
Now  girls  be  wise,  "Co  you  realize, 

How  time  is  slipping  away, 
When  Tom  comes  round  don't  turn  him  down, 

It  may  be  your  last  chance  for  a  day. 

51 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"OUR  EXPOSITION. 

Our  Exposition   at  Richmond,  Va.,   1915,   Colonel   Jiles  B. 

Jackson,   Promoter. 

To    Commemorate   the    P'iftieth    Anniversary    of 
Emancipation. 

At  our  coming  exposition, 
Let  us  have  a  disposition 
To  expose  the   best   we   have, 
That  is  good  and  great  to  see. 

Bring  your  implements  of  wonder! 
Tear  the  chain  of  doubt  asunder, 
Show  the  nations   our  progressions, 
Since  Lincoln  set  us  free. 

At   our   coming  exposition, 
Let  us   have   a  disposition 
To  expose  the  arts  and  crafts 
That  are  made  by  you  and  me. 

Bring  your   trades   of  skill   and   labor, 
Bring  the  work  of  next  door  neighbor, 
Show  the  nations   our  progressions, 
Since  Lincoln  set  us  free. 

At  our  coming  exposition 
Let   us   have   a  disposition 
To    go    up    and   onward    ever, 
In  the  rights  of  Liberty. 

52 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

He  who  rules  the  world  and  nations, 
Truly    signed   the    proclamation, 
Show  the  nations  our  progressions, 
Since  Jesus  set  us  free. 


53 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"THE  OLD-TIME  RELIGION." 

Give  me  dis  ole  time  religion, 

Give  me  dis  ole  time  religion, 

Give  me  dis  ole  time  religion, 

It's  good  enough  for  me. 

Look  heah,   Brud'er!    don't  sing  dat  way. 
Dan  ain't  no  ole  time  religion  today; 
Bar's  a  new  time  kind  da's  got  of  late, 
A  bran  new  style  right  up  to  date. 

You  go's  up  now  and  takes  de  preacher's  han', 
And  steps  right  over  in  de  promise  Ian'; 
Bar's  no  use  fur  to  pray,  or  to  speak  of  a  shout, 
Fur  nobody'll  know  what  you'r'  talking  about. 

Bar's  nothing  fur  to  do  but  to  set  right  clown, 
Put  on  your  robe  and  try  on  your  crown; 
Ben  wait  fur  de  chariot  to  de  golden  shore; 
No  use  fur  to  moan   and  pray  no   more. 

Bar  now!    Brud'er,   I'm   sorry   fur  to   say, 
Bar  ain't  no  ole  time  religion  today. 


54 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"DEACON  JONES  " 

Deacon  Jones  was  a  real  good  man, 

As   deacons   ought   to   be; 
He  had  one  wife,  as  the  Scripture  says. 

Instead  of  having  three. 

He   taught  a   class   in    Sunday    school, 

With  vigor,  might  and  force; 
He   said  no   drunkard   in   the  church 

Could  join  the  heavenly  host. 

Across    the    way    sat    Deacon    Dodd, 

His  face  all  in  a  frown; 
And  tried  his  best  to  read  so  loud, 

The    deacon's    words   he'd    drown. 

"Not  a  drop,"   said  Deacon  Jones, 

"A    Christian    ought    to    take; 
No  matter  what  your  troubles  are, 

Not  for  his  stomach's  sake." 

Deacon  Dodd,  he  saw  no  harm, 

In  just   a    sip   or  two; 
If   water    'round   was   hard   to    find, 

To  quench  the  thirst  'twould  do. 

When  Deacon  Jones  went  home  from  church, 
His   heart    was    clear    and    clean; 

He'd  told  them  'bout  King  Alcohol, 
And  pictured  well  the  scene. 

55 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

At  night  he   sought  his  peaceful  bed, 

To   rest   his   weary   feet; 
Outside   the   snow   was   falling   fast, 

And   turning   into   sleet. 

Next  day  when  he  awoke, 
Snow  covered  all  the  ground; 

And  from  a  cupboard,  dark  and  high, 
He  pulled  a  bottle  down. 

He  opened  it,  in  haste  he  did. 

And  looking  quickly  'round, 
"I  see  no  harm,"  said  he,  "to  drink 

When   sleet  is   on  the  ground." 


56 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"A  FOOLISH  MAN." 

A  foolish  man  came  riding  by, 

A  wise  man  said,  your  horse  will  die. 

Said  the  fool,  if  he  dies, 

I'll  tan  his  skin, 

And  if  he  lives,  I'll  ride  him  again. 


57 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"SPRING." 

Oh!    What   joy   and   peace   and   cheer, 
Fill    our    hearts,    when    spring    is    near; 
Gone  is   winter's   chilly  blast, 
Birds  and  .flowers  return  at  last 

Butterflies   in  dresses   gay, 
They,  too,  have  started  on  their  way; 
Spring  is  here!   Now  let  us  cheer, 
The  happiest   days   of  all   the   year. 


58 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS 


"LOOKING  BACK." 

Looking  back  I  see  myself, 

A  child  just  five  years  old; 
I'd   climb    up    in   my   papa's   lap, 

When  mom  began  to  scold. 

He'd  hold  me  on  as  best  he  could, 

And  then  he'd  let  her  fuss; 
He   did  not  mind  how  much   she  talked, 

Just  so  she  didn't  cuss. 

And  then  he'd  jump  me  up  and  down, 

And  tell  me  'bout  Bo  Peep, 
Who  wandered  all  around  the  town, 

And  could  not  find  her  sheep. 

And  then  he  said  that  poor  Jack  Spratt, 

He    had    to    eat    the    lean; 
That  old   Mrs.   Spratt,   she  ate  the  fat, 

Because  she  was  so  mean. 

Bait  oh!   my  mother  overheard 

My   father   tell   me   that; 
From  that  time  on  he  ate  the  lean, 

And  mother  ate  the  fat. 


59 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"DOWN  IN  THE  COUNTRY." 

Down   in   the   country   where   we   lived, 

The  girls  and1  boys  were  happy; 
There  was  no  mamma  nor  any  papa, 

But  just  plain  mam  and  pappy. 

'Twas   "Uncle   Joe   and   Aunt   Maria, 

Uncle  Ned  and  Jerry; 
All  day  long  was  one  sweet  song, 

The  heart  was  always  merry. 

The  boys  and  girls  joined  in  the  sport 
Of   baseball,   kites   and   marbles; 

And  when  at  church  the  boys  sung  bass, 
The  girls  they'd  always  warble. 

Then  after  school  it  was  the  rule 

To   see-saw,   jump   and   swing; 
The  boys  spun  tops  and  played  hip-hop, 

In  fact  did  everything. 

Such   happy   days   and   country    ways, 

Indeed  it  was  a  pleasure; 
The   greatest   joy   without   alloy, 

And  lots  of  time   for  leisure. 


60 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"THE  WANDERING  SHEEP." 

Sheep  without  a  shepherd, 

Over   the   mountains   roam, 
Weak  and  worn,  bruised  and  torn, 

Wandering  far   from   home. 

Helpless!    Shelterless!    Wandering! 

"The  wolf"   can   find  his  prey; 
,No   hand   to   guide,   no   place   to   hide, 

Wandering  all  the  day. 

Father,  who  loves  the  wandering  sheep, 

Bring  them  into  the  fold! 
They  know  not,  Lord,  what  snares  await, 

Shelter  them  from  the  cold. 


61 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"A  MAN  OF  THE  HEART." 

To  My  Friend,  Edward  Barber. 

Give  me  a  man  who  has  a  heart, 

To  feel  another's  pain; 
Who'll  lift  a  brother  from  the  earth. 

Help  him  his  steps  to  gain. 

Give  me  a  man,  who  has  a  heart, 

To  bravely  stand  for  right; 
When    foes    assail    on    every    hand, 

Out   in   the   thickest   fight. 

Give  me  a  man,  who  has  a  heart, 
TO    meet   a   world    of   frowns; 

With    smiling   face   and   courage   bright. 
To  lift  up  one 'who's  down. 


62 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
'AS  YOU  GO  FROM  HOME  TODAY." 

As  you   go   from   home  today, 
Think   it  out   upon   the   way; 
Have  you  left  a  kiss   for  mother, 
A   loving   smile   for   sister,   brother? 
Have    you    bade    a    kind    goodbye, 
With  your   spirit  bright  and   high? 
If    you    have   the    day    is    bright, 
And   the   heaviest   burden   light. 

As   you   go   from   home   today, 
Think  it  out  upon  the  way; 
Have  you  done   your  very  best, 
Will   your   work   now   stand  the   test? 
Have    you    conscientious    been 
In  your  dealings  with  all  men? 
If  you  have  the  day  is  bright, 
And   the   heaviest   burden   light. 

As    you    go    from    home    today. 
Think    it    out    upon    the    way; 
Have  you  rid  your  soul  of  sin? 
Are  you  pure  and   clean   within? 
Have  you  bid  the  devil  go, 
Gave  him  not  the  slightest   show? 
If  you  have  the  day  is  bright, 
And  the  heaviest  burden  light. 


63 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"HE  IS  RISEN." 

Christ  our  Lord  was  hung  on  Calvary, 
For  the  sins  of  you  and  me; 

That  from  sin  and  condemnation, 
Jew   and  Gentile   should   be   free. 

Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  is  risen, 
On  the  third  day  as  he  said; 

There  beside  the  empty  prison, 
Roman  soldiers  lay  as  dead. 

Early  in  the  dawn  of  morning, 

"Mary"  sought  her  Lord  with  tears; 

Look!    Behold,  He  is  risen! 

See  the  tomb!    He  is  not  here. 

He  has  risen  from  the  prison, 
Bear  the  tidings  far  and  wide; 

Jesus   Christ,  our  Lord,   is  risen, 
On  this  glorious  Easter  tide! 

If  in  Him  we  die  from  sin, 

We  shall   also  rise  again; 
Death  no   more  can   have  its  sway, 

Jesus   took   the   sting   away. 


64 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
TO  J.  J.  PEARCE. 

I   shall   not   forget   your   friendship, 

When  the  days  were  dark  and  drear; 
When  in  trouble,  pain  and  sadness, 

We   could   find   you   always  near. 
I  am  a  prisoner  in  the  darkness, 

Never   more   may   be   set   free; 
But  your  sympathy,  kind  and  tender, 

Makes  the  world  so  bright  to  me. 

As   I    wait    here    in    the    shadow, 
Kindly  thoughts  shall  be  of  thee; 

Praying  that  the  darkness  vanish, 
And  your  pleasant  face  to  see. 


65 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 
"NEW  STYLE  TUNES." 

To  Mr.  W.  H.  Marlow. 

They've   got   a   lot  of  new   style  tunes, 

For  old-time  hymns  today; 
Why!   you  never  hear  a  single  hymn 

Sung  in  the  old-time  way. 

You  never  hear  them  singing 
"Am  I  a  soldier  of  the  cross?" 

If  you  did,  you'd  never  know  it, 
For  the  tune  has  long  been  lost. 

O!   I'd  love  to  hear  the  tunes  once  more, 

Like  mother  used  to  sing; 
'<And  shall  I  fear  to  own  his  cause, 

Or  blush  to  speak  his  name?" 

And  then   that  old   familiar   hymn, 

"And,   am  I  born  to   die?" 
She'd  sing  that  hymn,  so  high  and  sweet, 

'Twould  almost  reach  the  sky. 

And  then  she  had  another  song 

About   the   Judgment   day, 
"And    sinners    plunged    beneath    that    flood, 

Washed  all  their  sins  away." 

These  new  time  tunes  may  be  all  right, 

For    high-tone   folks   to    sing; 
I'd  rather  hear  the  old-time  tunes, 

Like  mother  used  to  sing. 

66 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

UNCLE  JOSHUA'S  BIRTHDAY  DIN 
NER. 

News  had  spread  throughout  the  town, 

About   a   birthday   dinner 
Uncle   Joshua   Crow   was   going   to   have, 

And  invite  both  saints  and  sinner. 

He  didn't  exactly  know  his  age, 

He   thought    'twas   ninety-seven; 
He  said  he'd  have   one  great  big   time, 

Before  he  went  to  heaven. 

Uncle  Joshua  was  a  kind  old  man, 

Well-known    around    the   village; 
His  trade   was  picking  rags   and  bones, 

And    other    privileges. 

Everybody  in  the  town 

Received  an  invitation; 
And  all  began  at  once  to  make 

Elaborate  preparations. 

In  fact  the  little  town  itself 

Was  decorated  grand; 
Ike  Simms  was  there, 

And  had  on  hand  his  pickaninny  band. 

The  festal  day  at  last  arrived. 

It  surely  was  a  pity; 
To  see  the  folks  crowd  in  that  room 

From  countryside  and  city. 

67 


Uncle   Joshua!    greeted   them   one   and   all. 

Hypocrites,  saints  and  sinners; 
When   all   had   had   their   turn   at   him, 

He  invited  them  out  to  dinner. 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

Such   shaking  hands   and  bowing  down, 

And   great   congratulations, 
Such   crowds   were  never   seen  before, 

Not  in  this  generation. 

Uncle  Joshua  greeted  them,  one  and  all, 
Hypocrites,    saints   and    sinners; 

When   all   had  had  their  turn   at   him, 
He  invited  them  out  to  dinner. 

The   table   manj    Don't   say   a   word! 

Was   loaded  down   with   chicken; 
Young  spring  shote  and  o'possum,   too, 

And  lobster  still  a-kicking. 

Cakes    and   pies,    why    sakes    alive! 

Peanuts,  dates  and  candy; 
Blackberry  roll  and  peach  preserves, 

Hush!    a  jug  of  apple  brandy. 

Dinner  o'er  they  cleared  the  floor, 
That  music  sure  was  singing; 

Miss  Dinah  Diggs  and  Uncle  Josh 
Come  down  the  floor  a-swinging. 

He  swung  Miss  Dinah  up  and  down, 
Uncle   Joshua's    feet   were   flying; 

And  then  he  turned  her  round  and  round, 
Miss  Dinah  was  almost  crying. 

69 


Dinner  o'er  they  cleared  the  floor, 
That  music  sure  was  singing"; 

Miss  Dinnah  Diggs  and  Uncle  Josh 
Come  down  the  floor  a-swinging. 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 

The    music   played,    the   people    swayed. 
Hypocrites,    saints   and   sinners; 

'Twas   almost  day  when  they  went  awayr 
Prom   Uncle   Joshua's   birthday   dinner. 


71 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"PITY." 

Do  not  stand  back   and   pity   me, 
If  I  have  fallen   in  the  sea; 
If  thou  hath  love,  jump  in  and  see. 
If  you  can  help  to  rescue  me. 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS 


"AS  I  PASS  BY  THE  WAY," 

Keep  not  your  roses, 

For  my  (lead,  cold  clay; 

Scatter  them  along  as  I  pass  by  the  way. 

Speak    a   kind   word, 

While  I'm  with  you  today; 

Give  me  a  smile  as  I  pass  by  the  way. 

The  fairest  flower  that  blooms  in  the  day,. 
Will  avail  me  but  naught, 
When    I've   passed    away. 

Give  me  the  love  that  I  long  for  today, 
Scatter   the   flowers 
As  I  pass  by  the  way. 


73 


.THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"TOILING.'' 

Year  after  year,  in  toil  and  pain, 
Striving  a  bit  of  gold  to  gain; 
Laboring   on   from   day  to   day, 
On  earth  to  live,  in  stores  we  lay. 

When   at   last   we've   gained   the  gold, 
And  troubles  o'er  us  no  more  roll,. 
Then  time  steps  in  and  bids  us  go, 
Our  days  on  earth  shall  be  no  more. 

Others  left  shall  take  our  place 
With  braver  runners  in  the  race; 
Yet   toil   shall   be   the   lot   of   man, 
It  is  the  Master's   great   command. 

Lay  not  in  store  great  bags  of  gold, 
But  heap   up   treasures  for  the  soul; 
By  sweat  of  brow  thy  bread  shall  earn, 
Long  as  the  lamp   holds  out  to  burn. 


74 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS 


"THE  WAR  IN  EUROPE,  1914." 

See  the  world  in  great  confusion! 

Stop  and  think  oh,  mortal  man! 
Friend   and   foe  alike   are   losing, 

Thousands  fall  on  every  hand. 

Why   this   needless   cause   of   battle? 

Who  can  answer?  No,  not  one; 
Nations,    like    dumb    driven    cattle, 

Fall  as  grass  before  the  sun. 

Oh!  the  world  so  vast  and  fruitful 

Why  not  here  content  abide? 
He  who  owns  the  lands  and  waters, 

Will  from  us  no  good  thing  hide. 


75 


THOUGHTS  OP  IDLE  HOURS. 


"0,  MIGHTY  SEA!" 

O,  Mighty  Sea!    Thy  mournful  sound, 

Forever   I   can   hear; 
O,  tell  me  what  thy  troubles  are, 

What  burdens  doth  thou  bear? 

Forever    hath    thou    mournful    been, 
What  sorrows  fill  thy  breast? 

Thy   tossing   billows   never    cease; 
Hath   thou   no   time   for   rest? 

Perhaps  a  message  now   you  bring,. 

Up   from   the   mighty  deep; 
Of   loved   ones,   near   and   dear   to   us, 

In   watery   graves    they   sleep. 

O,  restless  sea,  now  pray  tell  me, 
What   message   do   I   hear? 

I'll    wait    beside    thy    mighty    waves, 
And  will  thy  tidings  bear. 


76 


THOUGHTS'  OP  IDLE  HOUES 


"THE  THOUGHTS  OF  MAN." 

The  thoughts  of  man  are  seed  of  nature, 
They  grow  as  wheat,  for  good  or  ill; 

In   planting   thought   take  care   to  scatter 
Seed    of    love    in    deep    good-will. 

Then  watch  it  grow  each  day  and  hour, 
Kissed  by  the  sunshine  of  the  soul; 

The   seed   you've    sown    will    grow    in   power, 
The   fruit    it   bears   will    ne'er    grow   old. 


77 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"THE  BEAUTIFUL  WORLD." 

The    beautiful    world,    the    grass,    the    trees, 
The    sweet    smelling   rose, 
The    gentle    breeze. 

The  fish  of  the  sea,  the  birds  of  the  air, 
The    little    tom-tit    and    the    grizzly   bear, 
Each  in   its  class  is  a  beauty,   you  see, 
In  this  grand  old  world  for  you  and  me. 

The  beautiful  world,  the  ice  and  snow, 
The  silvery  lakes  where  the  rivulets  flow; 
The  rocks   and   caves,   the   shells  of  the   sea, 
In  this   grand   old  world  for  you  and  me. 

The  beautiful  world,  the  mountains  and  hills, 
The  wide  spreading  plains,  the  valleys  and  rills, 
The  beast  of  the  field,  the  fowl  of  the  air, 
In   the   world   there   is   beauty   everywhere. 


78 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"CLIMBING  UP" 

Do  not  climb  so  fast,  my  brother, 
Take  your  time  and  go  it  slow; 

Stop   arid  meditate  a  little, 
Stop  and  think  before  you  go. 

Then   when   starting  do  not  hurry, 
Take   it   slowly  as   you   climb; 

Stop  awhile  and  rest  a  little, 

Start    again    but  take   your   tirna. 

When  at  last  you've  reached  the  summi^ 
You  will  have  no  vain  regrets;  , 

For   you've   measured   well   the   journey, 
And  each   difficulty  met. 
Take   it   sl°w- 


79 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURS 


"STOP  AND  THINK." 

Just  stop  and  think  a  moment. 

When  the  way  seems  rough  and  steep; 

When  trials,  pain  and  sadness, 
Fill  .your  soul  with  sorrows  deep. 

When    the   mighty   waves    of   trouble, 
O'er  you  like  the  billows  roll; 

Turn   your   lamp   up   bright,   my  brother, 
Take   a   look   into   your   soul. 


80 


THOUGHTS  OF  IDLE  HOURF 


"WAITING  IN  THE  SHADOW.'* 

I  am  waiting  in  the  shadow, 
For  the  coming  of  the  light, 

Bright  and  cheerful,   I  am   waiting. 
Fearing  not   the   darkest  night. 

Oh,  what  peace  and  consolation, 

As  I  wait  here  by  the  way! 
Thinking   of  the  Joys   awaiting, 

When   the  mist   has   rolled   away. 

Oh,    the   hand   that    leads   and   guides   me'. 

Sure  will  help  me  all  the  way, 
Through  the  daylight  and  the  darkness, 

While   I    wait    here   by   the   way. 


81 


